The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Michigan State University has decided to part ways with head coach John L. Smith. According to MSU athletic director, Ron Mason, Smith will remain the Spartans head coach through the rest of the ’06 season.
The firing should not come as a surprise, but the timing of it sure does. However, I actually applaud MSU for coming out with the decision now. Here’s why, everybody in East Lansing knew this guy was as good as gone at the end of the year. So, instead of trying to negotiate with new coaches behind Smith’s back, MSU just decided to make it public and give Smith the option of finishing out the season. Too many times do we see a coach’s head on the chopping block, yet the college or professional program continues to act like the general public is stupid. If a coach is not your guy anymore, part ways, period. And give Smith credit – while his career at MSU was awful (to say the least) he remained a professional throughout this announcement and will continue to be until this dreadful season is over for MSU.
Possible candidates as replacements for Smith have surfaced and they are as follows: former Cleveland Browns and University of Miami head coach Butch Davis, former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions head coach Steve Mariucci, former University of Washington and current quarterback coach for the Baltimore Ravens Rick Neuishal and Central Michigan head coach Brian Kelly.
